Thanks, but can't take credit for the rock work newspaper, got the idea from a thread on RC. Starting point, then was going to tape the floor, but I like the idea of a mock aquarium out of cardboard (friend just moved and has ton of oversized boxes)
Newbie planning first build
- Thread starter Tooboot
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Thanks, but can't take credit for the rock work newspaper, got the idea from a thread on RC. Starting point, then was going to tape the floor, but I like the idea of a mock aquarium out of cardboard (friend just moved and has ton of oversized boxes)
mmittlesteadt
New member
Well, if you plan on putting any section of rock together permanently (not the whole thing, but sections of them), using cardboard as a way to see how it fits before you put it in your tank allows you to be as messy as you want without risking scratches, or worse, dropping some taking it in and out as you mess around with the shapes and arrangements.
I used fiberglass rods and hydraulic cement to make about 6 sections of rockwork exactly how I wanted them, and purposely designed them so they each interlock with another, like a puzzle. It looks like one solid structure but it's not and the rocks are placed in the tank, right on the bottom glass with sand filling in around them (so my sifters and diggers don't topple any of it).
Here are the six sections, all placed together (with a fake rock wall behind them (you can see the fresh hydraulic cement where some pieces are glued together)...
Initially I only had four sections, but added two more later...
And here is the original mess when I started...
Eventually looking like this one year later...
Looks great, love the shapes.
So what made you choose fiberglass rods over acrylic. I can understand using acrylic since it's material used in tanks.
I also plan on placing the rock directly on the tank. What kind of rock is that
mmittlesteadt
New member
I chose fiberglass mainly because it was available (driveway markers) and inert. If we had acrylic rods I would have used those too. They also were only temporary support until the hydraulic cement dried. They are still in the rock, but not really needed to support the structures any longer.
Not sure of the rock. I think it is similar to the rock you can get at BRS. I got it from my LFS (which is in a department where I work). Very porous, light and when I rinsed it with a garden hose a lot washed out leaving nice holes all over in it. I did soak it though too.
Can't wait to see pics of your rockwork. That's probably the most interesting part of it to me because being an artist, I got to be creative.
So not at the rock work stage yet, but did install a new girl and dedicated breaker. Filled the tank, ran through my plumbing, will need a few minor adjustments. Also noticed I'll need to level the stand on the floor, I plan on storing most of this water in a bin for salt water use, will also use some for the small freshwater tank water changes.will need to tune the skimmer, and was wondering if anyone has ever had issues with a neo therm heater laying flat rather than upright on the side of the tank?
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Went to the store last week and back this friday. Picked up 30th of Marco rock and another 20 lbs of Carib sea reef rock. Really happy with the overall look of the right piece, mostly one piece, total of three, just chiseled a bit. Still unsure about the left part. I want to sit it all in a bucket with some flowing water for a week, just to clean off some of the dust.
I'll probably readjust the left setup when I set it up in the tank. Considering gluing the right three pieces to not lose the main look, lots is said on this topic and I'm a fan of mostly gait held, but for extra hold of the three main pieces I am wondering what others are currently doing.
I'll probably readjust the left setup when I set it up in the tank. Considering gluing the right three pieces to not lose the main look, lots is said on this topic and I'm a fan of mostly gait held, but for extra hold of the three main pieces I am wondering what others are currently doing.
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Also thought I would share some progress on a diy led build I am doing, figured if I'm going to be a first time reefer may as well include first soldering (to come) and metal fab and electronics . I went to the HD looking for aluminum c tubing, closest thing was this square tubing. In order to make it all work I also picked up some flat aluminum. Essentially making a mount for the mount. It will attach to the canopy I am building.
Waiting on two more heatsinks. Will have tons of cooling so will be using a total of 32 x 3watts leds dimmable driver and a controller (still researching the later. Mixed whites, royal blues, blues, uv. In a varying numbers.
Waiting on two more heatsinks. Will have tons of cooling so will be using a total of 32 x 3watts leds dimmable driver and a controller (still researching the later. Mixed whites, royal blues, blues, uv. In a varying numbers.
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Updates:
Have about 55 lbs of dry rock (assorted type, mainly marco). Cemented some together using Aquafrorest product, it was relatively simplel. Put in some sand, and tada. The rock are sitting on eggcrate and I did the sand after. Now I wonder how the flow will be?
I'very also received 2 more heatsinks for the DIY LED light project. I also used thermal past to stick 16 3W LEDs to a set of assembled heatsinks. Each set of two heatsinks will mount to a board with cuts for air vent, between the board and the heat sink will be a fan.
As you can see a bit of a change from the first design attempts for the left rock formation
Have about 55 lbs of dry rock (assorted type, mainly marco). Cemented some together using Aquafrorest product, it was relatively simplel. Put in some sand, and tada. The rock are sitting on eggcrate and I did the sand after. Now I wonder how the flow will be?
I'very also received 2 more heatsinks for the DIY LED light project. I also used thermal past to stick 16 3W LEDs to a set of assembled heatsinks. Each set of two heatsinks will mount to a board with cuts for air vent, between the board and the heat sink will be a fan.
As you can see a bit of a change from the first design attempts for the left rock formation
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emperor187
New member
I like the tower of rock to the right, pretty cool
The rock on the right is mainly one rock, I glued 3 larger pieces together for a base, the placed the tower upright on top of the three (the three for the base are mainly covered in sand). I got lucky at the LFS picking out the one piece, and just had to chisel a bit.
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A bit of an update and looking for some advice.
this past weekend I added started my cycle by adding 3 frozen shrimp (all I had were fully cooked cocktail shrimp but I've heard it can work anyway since all I am looking for is decomposition to develop some bacteria).
I'll be checking my parameters weekly, already noted the parameters before adding the shrimp to give me a benchmark (all was at 3 as it should be).
I figure, from what I've read that this will take a while, which is fine I am in no rush and still need to finish my DIY lights.
This being said, what's my next step after the tank has cycled (other than doing water changes to bring the nitrates down)?
I don't have a QT tank set up yet, although plan on it (it will be an emergency tank and not regularly running). once my tank is cycled I planned on picking up a clownfish and my CUC. I will be placing my clown in QT for at least 4 weeks, during this time can I just ghost feed the tank to keep the bacteria going, is this required or will I be ok waiting the 4 weeks and doing nothing. should I add a CUC if there are no visible signs of algae, do I have to QT my CUC as well? what order should I introduce the fish and CUC, all together, fish first then CUC or vice versa?
I will also want to get a BTA shortly after, do these get a dip like corals, anything other than acclimatizing that would be required, is that even required.
Looking to hear of about your practices and suggestions (learn from others).
Just wanting to make sure my first go is a successful one. although I have learned a lot from my experience with freshwater tanks (there is something to be said about learning from your mistakes - i.e. what is cycling, ohh now I get it) I'd prefer to learn from other's mistakes and avoid going down the dark path others have in the past.
Gunther I'd love an update of your tank if you can.
this past weekend I added started my cycle by adding 3 frozen shrimp (all I had were fully cooked cocktail shrimp but I've heard it can work anyway since all I am looking for is decomposition to develop some bacteria).
I'll be checking my parameters weekly, already noted the parameters before adding the shrimp to give me a benchmark (all was at 3 as it should be).
I figure, from what I've read that this will take a while, which is fine I am in no rush and still need to finish my DIY lights.
This being said, what's my next step after the tank has cycled (other than doing water changes to bring the nitrates down)?
I don't have a QT tank set up yet, although plan on it (it will be an emergency tank and not regularly running). once my tank is cycled I planned on picking up a clownfish and my CUC. I will be placing my clown in QT for at least 4 weeks, during this time can I just ghost feed the tank to keep the bacteria going, is this required or will I be ok waiting the 4 weeks and doing nothing. should I add a CUC if there are no visible signs of algae, do I have to QT my CUC as well? what order should I introduce the fish and CUC, all together, fish first then CUC or vice versa?
I will also want to get a BTA shortly after, do these get a dip like corals, anything other than acclimatizing that would be required, is that even required.
Looking to hear of about your practices and suggestions (learn from others).
Just wanting to make sure my first go is a successful one. although I have learned a lot from my experience with freshwater tanks (there is something to be said about learning from your mistakes - i.e. what is cycling, ohh now I get it) I'd prefer to learn from other's mistakes and avoid going down the dark path others have in the past.
Gunther I'd love an update of your tank if you can.
So it's been a while and not so much planning anymore. ALL building is done for now, except for a couple of spots I'm keeping open for future coral colonies and medium chunks of rock, and maybe another WaveMaker and a seneye for xmas..
Most is diy (lights, stand, return and sump, ato, canopy.) Some bought used (tank, stand, sump, protein skimmer) other new (Jebao return pump and wavemaker, heaters, thermometers, magcleaner...) it been cycled for over 4 weeks.
Just did a 14g water change;
salinity 1.026
Calcium 427
Nitrate 3
Alka 8.5
Ave temp 78
Mag 1300
Plan on getting some chaeto
Place my first stocking order, I'll pick it up this wed.
Captive Bred Ocellaris Clown x 1
Peppermint Shrimp x 1
Trochus Snail x 5
Cerith snails x 5
scarlet crabs x 2
nassarius snails XL x 1
Haven't seen much instability in parameters so far so should be good to add some visual life
Have a feeder ring and clip, seeweed, sinking pellets, flakes, will get some frozen at some point, also have some "Snow" I can add since I was worried about the inverts getting enough food, and a baster to target feed if needed. Also considerin getting a featherduster. I don't have a question set up yet, I know bad on me, but don't plan on getting anymore livestock for a bit
Most is diy (lights, stand, return and sump, ato, canopy.) Some bought used (tank, stand, sump, protein skimmer) other new (Jebao return pump and wavemaker, heaters, thermometers, magcleaner...) it been cycled for over 4 weeks.
Just did a 14g water change;
salinity 1.026
Calcium 427
Nitrate 3
Alka 8.5
Ave temp 78
Mag 1300
Plan on getting some chaeto
Place my first stocking order, I'll pick it up this wed.
Captive Bred Ocellaris Clown x 1
Peppermint Shrimp x 1
Trochus Snail x 5
Cerith snails x 5
scarlet crabs x 2
nassarius snails XL x 1
Haven't seen much instability in parameters so far so should be good to add some visual life
Have a feeder ring and clip, seeweed, sinking pellets, flakes, will get some frozen at some point, also have some "Snow" I can add since I was worried about the inverts getting enough food, and a baster to target feed if needed. Also considerin getting a featherduster. I don't have a question set up yet, I know bad on me, but don't plan on getting anymore livestock for a bit
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